TROUBLED SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS IS BACK!

[@luthermatsaluka7843]

Ayy that's my mom in the thumbnail 😁❤️ Awesome video Josh, thanks a ton on her and the airlines behalf. Glad you had memorable flight and thank you for the wishes you passed onto the airline.

[@ssego5208]

Cheers to your mom😊😊🎉🎉

[@deesdiary17]

Your mum is such a sweetheart, very kind. She was working on our international flight a few months ago. God bless her 🥰🙏🏻

[@skywalker7778]

An embarrassment to some South Africans who still remember the days SAA was awarded as the top airline of the world surpassing BA and Lufthansa. It's current state shows its current government. What a shame.

[@gailgrimett2028]

Absolutely. We were very proud of our airlines and our country.Not anymore.

[@comrade9374]

​@@gailgrimett2028not your country 😂

[@tryingmybest206]

I can't find anywhere online saying it was ever awarded the top airline... which year? and which award?

[@dealsfactory5289]

​@@tryingmybest206 Also can't find anything but came across this: "We have become a global airline whose excellence - 14 Skytrax awards acknowledging us as the best African airline and Africa's first 4 star airline..." published 2015. If "better" than BA, etc, it's probably referring to domestic flights which used to be offered by BA too.

[@tryingmybest206]

​@dealsfactory5289 Yeah i think you're right, but idk if Lufthansa has done domestic flights The airline has been named best airline in africa but never in the world

[@petiojude012]

I flew with South African a couple weeks back and was extremely impressed. It was from Windhoek to JoBurg - excellent service, delicious meal, friendly crew. No complaints! Better than any short-haul service in Europe.

[@Patshes]

🆒😎👍!😊

[@BB-nw6cs]

Same here, flying between Lagos and Cape Town regularly. Much improved since its revival post-Covid, especially in cabin crew behaviour. Mixed crews (black and white), and I was served in my home language on the International legs, which was a welcome surprise. Flew both Business Class and Economy, with the option to buy the seat next to me in Economy, which I did with no hassels. Welcome back SAA.

[@glenvanzyl8985]

Yep was most prob air link

[@JuicyJLee]

The amount of Haters here

[@Sl33pykatzzz]

@@sleepyjoe5380i love in SA and found this offensive

[@itzhaktzvishohat7490]

We fly SAA a couple of times a year from Johannesburgh to Cape Town and back. They are amazing with wheelchair service, knock on wood, taking care of me and my wheelchair each and every time. The service is so kind, they're always smiling and sharing laughter. They seem to have a joy in what they do, nothing is ever too much trouble. May SAA revitilization continue and strengthen as time goes by.

[@fixpacifica]

I flew them between Miami and Cape Town and back in the late '90s. They were a fantastic airline back then.

[@robert_nyc]

I did in 1995 from Miami to Capetown F/C

[@johanvandyk]

Nice to see. Love seeing friendly and passionate crew members. I really hope SAA returns to it’s former glory.

[@danielvanr.8681]

'n Mens kan altyd hoop. :)

[@Vv-fl2rm]

😂😂😂😂

[@gekolizzard]

Yeah..doubtful.

[@Cpchurch87]

Took a South African airways flight once from Heathrow to Cape Town years ago (maybe 2008ish) and to this day it’s probably the best service I’ve ever experienced on a long haul. Multiple meals, snacks, drinks service, friendly crew. Honestly, it’s yet to be topped for service and I include some business class trips in that comment.

[@marintorinikiyoyunogi7508]

Mandela was still in charge at that time.

[@oneontumetse7900]

@@marintorinikiyoyunogi7508Mandela left office in 1999 lol.

[@Michaelorwa]

SAA is the best airline for me when it comes to service, lovely cabin crew. I flew them not too long ago and I got to have a chat with the pilots and even got a hold of their numbers. I can see things improving in future.

[@RogerMackie-b7f]

You spoke to the pilots ? Presumably at the end of the flight as passengers not permitted on flight deck at any point and no professional pilot would ever reveal their contact to a stranger.

[@vernongoodey5096]

Do you actually travel with other European airlines or just other African airlines like Air Zimbabwe, which on my flight landed at Johannesburg with no undercarriage down! Mind you it was called Jan Smuts airport in those days!

[@cedric9370]

"YOU' flew them? How did you manage to do that?

[@michaelreid8857]

Glad to see that the crew is doing their part! SAA deserves a comeback. Hopefully they will modernize their fleet

[@eduard1649]

I flew Accra to Johannesburg on SAA and it was all very good. On time, friendly staff and quiet. Good food, clean, really excellent.

[@andrewveitch8515]

When I lived in SA many years ago, SAA was THE Airline and was exceptional in every way. Their voyager program was awesome and service was outstanding. It was saddening to see its decline from afar to the point of operational cessation. I'm happy to hear they are flying again and with amazing flight crew like the ones you had on your flight, the airline can only get better. I trust that once the airline is again on a sound financial footing , the execs will purchase or even lease some new places to improve the overall product even that much more. I look forward to the day that I can fly back to the Mother City from the USA for a visit with SAA and experience this legendary airlines rebirth.

[@michelleduplooymalherbe2837]

I STILL LIVE HERE AND I REMEMBER SAA BEING SO GOOD BUT NOW DAYS I PROMISE YOU THEY ARE LAST ON YOUR LIST AND THEY MIGHT HAVE IMPROVED SLIGHTLY BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE HERE IT WILL NOT LAST

[@davidwebb4904]

If it stinks as bad as you suggest, that is not acceptable under any circumstances.

[@flyingwithace]

I'm happy to see that SAA are trying to deliver a good quality service. The only way they will fully rebound is through passenger satisfaction, and of course avoiding issues that caused their problems in the past.

[@joannharrington2279]

Most people can overlook some things but bad smells just stay there. Hopefully the airline will notice your review and check into why it smelt so bad. That is the main reason I avoid seats by the bathroom. Glad the rest of the flight went well. Hopefully this airline will figure out the kinks and be another successful airline. Safe travels.

[@puzzledzimbo]

Nice to see they're making an effort again. Would like to see more African carriers like Air Seychelles and Air Botswana

[@toyotauris]

id love to see an air seychelles review, especially on their a320neo

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

but they still not flying international yet as its said, only in Africa at the moment, before covid their prices were more expensive than SWiss Air lufthansa Air francs

[@Accuface2000]

Who told you Seychelles and Botswana are better than other African countries? These are villages compared to other countries

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

Air Botswana as far as I know only fly between Botswana and south Africa

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

@@Accuface2000 as far as I know Air Botswana only has fixed prop engined planes and only fly between Botswana and South Africa

[@lloydmorgan7152]

I flew SAA to Mauritius and back on their A340 in Business and apart from the cabin being dated everything else was absolutely amazing:)

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

i flew SAA in July 2019, was a good flight and good food,friendly crew between germany and SA,

[@MalutitheDj]

For a former Aircraft Maintenance employee of this airline... I have to say, I miss the old days and would join in it if a chance arise.

[@avuazahc1966]

Great to here a positive review from u for SAA. Employees have the energy to take SAA to glory days, hoping management wont smoke weed again when making company decisions.

[@sphelele4918]

Even a troubled SAA is still better than many airlines. Love them so much - best service, amazing crew.

[@annamika7]

Josh, South African Airways has only been an airline on Life support since the present government took over running it as a State Owned Enterprise. Used to rank among the best in the world, not just Africa.

[@comrade9374]

The past government didn't allow real South Africans to fly on them

[@ytlurker220]

@@comrade9374 what's that supposed to mean?

[@annamika7]

Ooooh! @@comrade9374 Please enlighten us, who these "real South Africans" are!

[@robinfist]

@@comrade9374 you are implying that only a certain race group is actually South African. Don't be racist, please. And FYI - flew plenty of times on the older SAA with plenty of your supposed 'real South Africans' on board. So sad to see racist comment on here.

[@comrade9374]

@@robinfist that's what you apply when you compare previous and present government as those times you mentioned it was only SAA for whites

[@ricardomejia4336]

flew the same route on the same equipment in july. the flight was pleasant. the crew was friendly. the hard product was fine. look forward to flying on them again. SA is among my favorite places in the world 🇿🇦❤️ also i was surprised when you’re airlink review came out as i had very pleasant experiences with them in economy class. i flew on them 4 times throughout my time in southern africa.

[@RichieRouge206]

I was born and raised in South Africa. The first flight I ever took was in 1984 on a 747-200 with SAA from Joburg to Manchester and that naturally was around the coast and took so long. The current standards don’t surprise me because South Africa is sadly falling apart at the seams. It breaks my heart. Great video Josh

[@HughesyTech]

I flew from Jo'burg to Windhoek in May 2023. Best flight attendants I've had in years. Very friendly service, very attentive and also gave me an emergency aisle seat at the gates cos they could see I had long legs. For a short two hour economy class flight I was very happy.

[@GlobalFinancialServices]

along with long legs u also have long......ck??

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

i flew SAA in July 2019 for the first time, and before that only on SWiss Air and Lufthansa for Germany and South Africa, but the main reason was SAA prices were much higher than the mentioned ones, so when i looked in April 2019 i found on Google flights SAA was few thousand rands cheaper, what a surprise, the food was ten times better than Swiss air and Lufthansa, friendly flight crew, as Swiss air Lufthansa crew are very stuck up i find, In May i flew Air France from Germany to SA,wow what a letdown, food was so bad, so i hope SAA can fly again ,

[@JuicyJLee]

Love the positive comments we just have to have hope for a better future

[@freshwaterfishman]

Not as bad as our national airline in Australia, QANTAS. They’ve recently been caught selling tickets on flights that they had already cancelled and then refusing to give refunds, rather they give you Qantas vouchers, which expire in 12 months.

[@travismailsa1]

I had a friend fly from Aus back to SA for a 3 month visit, this happened to her with her return flight. Gave her a voucher

[@colefenter]

Perfect video Josh! Haven't been on the SA Airways but I wish good luck to them. You've done a great job by highlighting every detail. Thank you and keep em coming! ❤

[@laurab1089]

The flight attendants were lovely.. All smiles which I appreciate. 😊

[@davidsage124]

Thanks

[@brinleyharriss8423]

As a South African who used to fly SAA quite often I really hope that, with the privatisation of the airline, it can not only return to its former glory, but become one of the best airlines in not only africa but the world. They have the potential to do great things.

[@andreipretorius92]

They really do. They connect so many countries together. It used to be an amazing airline. Let’s try and get back to it

[@Cent51]

😂😂😂😂😂 , never.. as long as grubby anc have friends and family connection nothing will be fixed..

[@thandisilec835]

SA Airways is still SA Government owned

[@witsend008]

Privatised ? Pravin Gordhan still has his sticky fingers in SAA. Don't underestimate the governments fetish to stuff up solid anything they touch .

[@VuyoBaliso.]

I've read somewhere that they are leased from another airline , that's why there's scratches also wear & tear .

[@TheRareVideosXL]

I love South African Airways and wish them all the best for the future.

[@VibeFlix215]

As a South African, I truly understand your pain because the airline hasn't been that much active during the past 3 years, mostly because of corruption and lack of funding. We have highly trained staff and chefs. Airlink is just some ordinary airline 😂. SAA has new owners so you can expect better service

[@TaylenIsInsane]

I've flown with SAA a couple years back, and it was great. I'm flying down to Johannesburg with United at the end of this year, to see my parents. But I've also booked a trip with SAA to Mauritius, for me and my parents. Can't wait to see how SAA have improved.

[@linsampson6340]

left a tape recorder on a SAA plane some years ago and it was brought to my door by a member of the team, a middle aged Afrikaans woman, those were the days. Over now.

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

i flew JUly 2019 SAA just before it went bang, and food was great and crew was so friendly, Swiss Air Lugthnasa food is bad and the crew are so stuckup,

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

definitely long before 1994 i will say, @@linsampson6340

[@sandratarmamade5420]

Back in times I did fly with South African Airways from Johannesburg to London Hilthrow and back. And also from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and back. And September 2022 from Johannesburgto to Cape Town and back. . I realy like the service and everything. I wish them all the best.

[@anearangies2969]

I am South African and I will not fly with SAA even if you pay me to do so. The airline owns only 4 planes...all the rest is leased. I feel sorry for the crew...to deliver excellent service (with a smile) under tough circumstances... Personally I lost confidence in the airline. Its a real pitty.

[@bardo0007]

As a SA you should support it, be proud of it and maybe in a few years time we will all be flying them.

[@leeklass3907]

Aircraft can be leased just because iits painted in the carriers livery it dose not mean they own them a large portion of aircraft are owned by leassors or banks.

[@rameezkhan4954]

Many airlines lease as new aircrafts can be in the hundred of million of dollars. So not owning a large fleet is not really uncommon.

[@flywithAC2312]

There is no such thing as credit. You may be referring to leasing which is globally the preferred model of operating an aircraft.

[@anearangies2969]

@@flywithAC2312 thank you for the correct term, I did edit my comment. Appreciated.

[@kevindevilliers3572]

Airlink. You're wrong. By far the best Domestic Airline we've ever had.

[@peterspca90732]

Josh your reviews are really awesome and honest! You help me choose airlines based on your reviews! Thank you

[@charliesadv8493]

South African Airways was always an excellent airline, until it was run into the ground due to corruption and theft by government and SAA management. And the staff unfortunately had to pay the price

[@michelleduplooymalherbe2837]

THAT IS ALWAYS THE CASE - SO SAD - THE FAT CATS GET FATTER AND THE CITIZENS PAY THE PRICE - SHOW ME ONE AFRICAN COUNTRY WHERE THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.....

[@hauer54]

Over the years, I've totally lost confidence in their product and simply refuse to fly with them.

[@georgeharcus8302]

Yes me to and saa running at a lose for. Many years 2 bail out worth bilions of rands . ??

[@AyabongaSibisi-v1m]

​@georgeharcus8302 it just recorded a profit and it became debt free and things are improving at a faster rate and I do recommend it

[@MarkTrudgeonRulez]

Front-of-house might be great but I wonder how the back-of-house is like plane servicing etc.

[@sebinamuwanga]

There is a lot of passenger traffic between CPT and Johannesburg. Before the pandemic, SAA frequently operated the A 340-600 on that sector.

[@thabomabuza7340]

8:39 Ey! You were in a flight with one of the funniest comedians in S.A! Skhumba Hlophe😂

[@vonganimathebula315]

I thought I was the only one who saw that 😂

[@jacoct35]

Hoping you will review SAA's new intercontinental flight to Sao Polo. They also have a new lounge in Johannesburg.

[@giovanniziboni3371]

SAA is a reflection of The Country in General.

[@Carol-rh5jd]

True Airline reflection of the decline of the county

[@that-plane-guy]

South African is an incredible airline. I wish them all the best for the future! May they return to their former glory

[@rc70ys]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@pamberinehondo9447]

Just when you thought that you had seen the bottom of the barrel, this country delivers again. It will never be back again. Corruption and inept leadership will make sure of that 😂

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

but not as an SAA-ANC-run airline, ,lol, i flew SAA in July 2019 and was so surprised on the good food and friendly staff, other times only on SWiss -Lufthansa and the food was so bad and stuck up crew,

[@derekhalford187]

Really sad to see the demise of a once world class airline that was well maintained, profitable, professional and a joy to use. Well done ANC for delivering sh^t, oh how you've progressed!

[@Allahuakbarx1000]

Did u even watch his review?

[@francosmith9326]

Nope lol@@Allahuakbarx1000

[@nielbehrens44]

The airline did not fail due to bad services. It failed due to corrupt individuals that stole all the money. AKA SOE in RSA

[@Allahuakbarx1000]

@@bernardfitzsimons6942 burn

[@Allahuakbarx1000]

Anyway, experience wise, this guy had a good flight with SAA. Well done. Every goverment around the world is just as rotten as the ANC if not worse. The west is rotten.

[@Arnz01]

Flew them recently from Perth to JHB. Hated it.

[@leighowen4345]

My dad was a captain for SAA and flew for them for 37yrs. I am glad that he is not around to see the absolute collapse of this once wonderful airline😢. It is highly unlikely that they will ever have the money to buy a new fleet as there is just to much corruption and theft👎 There are still a number of good employees and as you said, they work with what they have.

[@jacksonm.6549]

Thanks for the review. As a local, I travel budget airlines and am curious what a proper SAA business class flight is like. I've lost count of the number of times we the taxpayers have had to bail out this unprofitable airline. In budget airlines we get 1 class (all seats economy), no free food or drinks (all for sale). It's fine because the flight is only 2 hours long. There's also no IFE (or screens) for anyone, and you have to pay for checking in luggage because your ticket only gets you carry on. What you flew is what the minority of travelers between the 2 cities experience and I'm glad you shared it with us!

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

i flew 2015/16 Germany -SA , Swiss air and Lufthnasa, and Jan 2018 and July 2018, then i found in April 2019 on Google Flights SAA flight on the same route as being cheapest and l few July 2019 on SAA , what a pleasant surprise, food was excellent and friendly crew, the other 2 airlines food was bad, Oct 2022 same route SWiss air, eish food was so bad,

[@tobyprice1092]

I flew SAA from LHR to JNB and thought they were OK pre covid. I flew with them again LAD to JNB and they were very good on a 3am flight. Food again good. Only issue was the attendant sound asleep behind me on three seats.

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

i flew SAA- Munich -Joburg in July 2019, and other times in JUNE 2015, July 2016 Jan 2018 -July 2018 only Swiss-Lufthansa, SAA food was ten times better than the other 2 airlines, SAA gave out a plastic packet with a Small Colgate toothpaste-fold up a toothbrush and an eye patch, flew Oct 2022 same route again SWiss air, wow the food was terrible, stuck up crew, now May 2023 air france same route oh my goodness, food even worse, a hard dried out bun, hard cheese, what i find to bad of Lufthansa they take back the headphones pre-landing, i still am flabbergasted,

[@emilschneider9974]

I had a good laugh re the sound a sleep attendant.😂

[@traviseveritt9902]

It will NEVER be what it once was! As a South African, I wouldn’t step a foot on one of those old aircraft. Good review Josh! Safair (flying Springbok) is a GOOD local domestic carrier is South Africa.

[@andreipretorius92]

Not with that attitude. We can have hope. With the right management SAA can be an award winning airline again

[@maburwanemokoena7117]

@@andreipretorius92 It will be good again, with better management. As a South African, I know.

[@phaks9529]

why bother , what's nice is abroad they don't care about entitled people like you. go back South Africa doesn't need such

[@MarkoVukovic0]

@@andreipretorius92 if only the ANC wasn't involved, which they still are. Just look at who the shareholders are.

[@arlenespencer5850]

​@@andreipretorius92😂

[@virginiafry9854]

Why complain about the IFE only having 4 movies - the entire flight is only 2 hours long!?!?!?!?!?

[@jeanmeiring]

You're a braver man than me for flying SAA.

[@teazerfemi]

Thanks so much Josh Cahill, I wish nothing but the best for South African airways

[@TheDuncanmacster]

In March we needed to travel from Cape Town back to Johannesburg. We decided to drive.

[@matthewsongloong9573]

Flew SAA from JNB to WDH: plane was bit dated, but food was good :) What sucks are the frequent flyer miles taking ages to be credited to my Miles & More...

[@peterabbott1974]

One of the stewards clocked you as soon as you sat down that’s why the stuff was that nice to😊

[@collenfisher3635]

Still won't touch SAA with a barge pole!!!!

[@stphinkle]

Oddly this flight is really from Matroosfontein to Kempton Park!

[@sachinamarath6552]

Lol when you were talking about the smell when boarding. That cabin crew member behind you, iv met the guy, he is such a nice dude.

[@normanmcleod7169]

Sadly, in view of the entrenched corruption, I believe it will always be one step forward and 2 steps back with SAA.

[@fulvia1454]

😢 ...

[@katweaselproductions6924]

What do you think made SAA so cool in the old days = massive corruption - keeping a loss making company in the air by ripping off and economically destroying the majority of its population.

[@danmcbride6258]

With your comment about a strong urine smell, I was astonished that you went to the Lav for a review and there was no followup comment. I have always heard the South African Flag Carrier was very good.

[@kindeveryone]

Usually if there is a small technical problem causing bad small etc, pilots mention it and apologize. I would be some what nervous to fly SAA, knowing how corrupt & incompitant SA has become, I don't think I could trust their aircraft maintenance.

[@rockspyder3970]

Forever dead, at the hands of the cancerous, corrupt ANC. From the old days when SAA pilots and cabin crew were considered some of the world’s finest, to the present day of affirmative action quotas where skills and training is a mere formality, where all that matters, is who your family is. Angering, frustrating, heartbraking. But SAA is forever dead.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Maybe. My late mother used to speak very warmly about her SAA flights. I seem to recall her thinking they were right up there with Cathay. The best airline in Africa? Seems to be Ethiopian.

[@rockspyder3970]

@@well-blazeredman6187 Indeed. SAA in the past was a great airline. I flew with them from the time of the orange tails, up to the days of the new livery after the flag was changed. It still went OK until Zuma’s girlfriend took over, and it just plummeted from there. It is hard to believe how utterly destructive bad politics can be

[@jamesstewart4402]

Hi Josh, great informative video as always. As a South African, I have flown many tips both local and International. I do wish for SAA to rise once again, however with the past corruption, I will will first wait and see how they develop before making any booking. Bon voyage, J

[@onsvirjousuid-afrika]

That probably one of my most favourite domestic lounge

[@woutergijs5246]

Oh yes, that lounge and food looked great. Sadly enough no details such as resting areas, showers, toilets, power outlets etcetera

[@shirlzdey951]

As a South African, sorry I will give this airline a miss. I have nothing positive to say about it.

[@DarkerREDEYE]

SAA is the best with close to zero crashes

[@ianrundle5862]

Recently close to zero flights assisted their safety record

[@DarkerREDEYE]

@@ianrundle5862 hahaha

[@philipross7631]

Hi Josh! Very good vlog on SAA. Years ago they were a world leading airline and I hope they can get back to that. Similar story perhaps to Air India who were fantastic along time ago. Think you are the best Airline blogger! Take care and keep up the good work. You are so lucky to live in Sri Lanka, one of my favourite places in the World. I live in the very cold NE England!

[@emilschneider9974]

I see the air hostess's were very chatty and charming. ❤ Thank you for this video!

[@AndriesZA]

Hi there Josh, hope you are keeping well.... I have your channel running while I'm in office and this was a surprise to see this "SAA" flight review. As a South African taxpayer and seeing how billions of our Tax funds are poured into this big black hole "SAA" I unfortunately need to say the SA Government just needs to close this disaster down. It makes continued losses and as such there will be no improvement or upgrades to any of the equipment or services. The ANC government is insistent on trying to bring the airline back to life for their own beneficial reasons, free official flights. The current airline is not even a shadow of what the once "Best African Airline" was. I used to fly SAA 2 decades ago and their disaster "none rewards" rewards program convinced me to use other airlines. I have never looked back since changing... Domestically their are far better options to use than SAA or Airlink. Even if SAA would hand out free tickets, I would rather decline. Time to wrap up this sorry show... close it down for good and save all SA tax payers money. Give the license to a private operator that can do a much better job to run a profitable airline as the SA Government can't even keep the water running never mind a complex thing like and airplane....

[@lamp07]

Agree....next the sorry SABC... we do NOT need it!!

[@simpslayer7839]

It’s being a private entity for 3 years now. You want the gov to shut down a private enterprise?

[@MarkoVukovic0]

@@simpslayer7839 not entirely. Govt still has a controlling share. And then there's the matter of the former finance minister being the chairman of one of the shareholding co's. This already has the ANC stink to it.

[@simpslayer7839]

@@MarkoVukovic0 Regardless the gov still owns a share in SAA it’s mostly privately owned which is better. We could argue about it being fully privately owned. Entities in South Africa such as Gautrain,Reayaviaya & Telkom which are split 50% private 50%public are doing well. SAA is in a trajectory of getting better, this is the second vid of a foreigner I’ve seen praising SAA that I have seen though this guy was more critical

[@MarkoVukovic0]

@@simpslayer7839 meanwhile, we, the taxpayers are still funding billions of SAA debt, and will be for a while.

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

What I remember from the Apartheid era SAA was the really beautiful air hostesses. Wow they were all knock outs. It used to be a first class air line. Today government officials steal all the money.

[@JustifyJustin]

I think the differentiating factor is the departure out was from Cape Town, and not Johannesburg. Cape Town staff are in general more friendly. Perhaps indicative of the beautiful environment.

[@jamesburns9706]

I took a great flight on SAA on a 747 from JFK to JNB back in 2002.

[@shaneolivier1650]

Very interesting and thanks for your comment, looking forward to hear that we are back on track and the very best in the world 👌

[@davidt.5632]

Hi you should try traveling with Air Caraïbes, Corsair and French Bee. 😁. I would like to see your expérience and opinion on Air Caraïbes, Corsair and French Bee. One thing it's missing on your opinion it's the speed of baggage deliveries, that is to say if when you check in your luggage in businnes, you receive it as a priority

[@redtitan6184]

The loo review for any airline's aircraft is needed.

[@jcaam8094]

I had no odea they were down to only 8 aircraft, hope the future brings them good fortune.

[@luckystriker7489]

I flew SAA business class from Johannesburg to Frankfurt to visit the Messe just before lockdown in 2020 and the flight was amazing. My return flight was again business class but on Lufthansa. SAA was better. Nowadays I'm not so sure if SAA is still as good. British Airways business class can be unpredictable. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's dire!

[@LindieBotes]

Thanks for such a comprehensive review, this was so fun to watch! I didn't even know they were back, lol. 4 movies is such an embarrassment...

[@seanpadgett3053]

I used to really like flying on SAA, they were always one of the best globally when I was clocking up alot of global air miles. They were well ahead of BA, AF and KLM, the only one that I thought came close was Emirates. It’s a shame if they have lost their quality.

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Good honest review as always.

[@luu_tee]

The times I had been onboard SAA from Malawi to RSA, the encounters were just marvelous.

[@awesomeness87878787]

Interesting that you had a bad experience with airlink. I fly them quite often and the experience is pretty good

[@wilcovaneeden8469]

I will give our national carrier, SAA, a huge miss. My onboard safety is a priority, and I don't believe that SAA aircraft (the few remaining older birds) offer an acceptable safety standard. What has risen from the post Covid ashes is a mere skeleton of the original and world-famous SAA yes, they are bravely spreading their wings ... without the funding to obtain new longhaul aircraft. SAA is a stillborn baby 👶. Thank you, Josh, for your honest review !

[@fjtpersian6566]

They have a better Safety record than most Asian and some European carriers.

[@lastmanstanding9389]

So how come SAA services several international airlines aircraft with 100% safety record, you're just full of it.

[@kwaru1]

Airlines are generally very safe. The safety standards they have to meet are quite robust. The business end is something else though

[@flywithAC2312]

This sounds more like an assumption than a pursue of facts. SAA is supported by possibly one of the largest Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul centres globally (SAA Technical) which during SAA's bankruptcy, continued to operate as one of the leading 3rd party service solutions for major airlines globally. SAA's safety standards have never been questioned & SAA Technical's great work is the reason for that

[@ericmorris3796]

Wilco, you probably want to then give the European carriers who fly into South Africa a miss as well as some of the middle eastern carriers. When they require maintenance, it is usually SAA Technical they make use of.

[@sararaftery3729]

i didnt even realize what had happened with saa...once upon a time they were one of a selection of airlines i would feel safe flying with

[@eileenwanjiru1809]

Thanks for letting me know about airlink, i wanted to go with coz its cheaper, but i will not.

[@XXlegendXXL]

Howzit Josh I’m from Sputh Africa you must one day try lift airlines

[@tonyaolsen1844]

South African airways was a top class airline in its day .. I doubt very much it can ever be matched again!!

[@StonedUp1]

A top airline during apartheid. Get my drift?

[@Michael.Chapman]

Thank you Josh for letting us hear lots of that superb growl from the Royce Trent turbines on departure from Cape Town :-) Not so keen on the odour you mentioned nor the grungy lack of cleanliness and movies…

[@EstelleBoy-sc2jm]

Last time I was a Saam plane was in 971. Food,service fantastic. Terrible to see how SA has hit rock bottom....

[@sandgrownmanc6614]

That flight attendant at the beginning clocked you first with the microphone and then he swiveled and probably saw your camera, but you didn't clock him. I'm only at the beginning but safe to say the whole business class crew knew you were vlogging!

[@EhsanMusic]

So the flight stunk of urine but it's good?

[@bardo0007]

My guess it was only in the beginning of the flight , as it was not mentioned when he visited the loo....

[@naman6785]

When are you coming to Angola 🇦🇴 again, the aviation community is waiting for you!!

[@celesteleroux9046]

Airlink is not SAA. I travel to Cape regularly. I have never seen a dirty cabin

[@morriskyalo7152]

The flight attendants were the highlight of the trip for sure.

[@flywithAC2312]

It is likely that we will see this A330 on the JNB/CPT - Sao Paulo route which will be interesting as there will be a chance to see an extended version of the SAA hospitality! Should be a good review coming up!

[@andreipretorius92]

Finally we can get back to South America. Without SAA or LATAM, it is hard to get there. Ethiopian airlines is great but it’s a far flight

[@EllaWilliams-pt6wn]

I was very happy coming from Cape town and the assistance that I got was great as the assistance that I got from Bangkok

[@woozhiy]

fun fact, over here in South Africa if a company is run and maintained by the government it is gonna go to absolute sh#t.. Our post offices, railroad systems, SAA, Eskom. South Africa's GDP hasn't even risen by 5% since 2008 and our entire infrastructure is on the verge of total collapse, what wonders the ANC has done for South Africa

[@LofoDub54]

Hope to see them back in Zurich one day!

[@woutergijs5246]

Hm… coincidence: Europeans fly a lot on Edelweiss’ A-340 to South Africa through Zurich - at very low fares - 550 € return CDG for example

[@LofoDub54]

​@@woutergijs5246and Swiss flies to JNB. But it is time Edelweiss and Swiss get their A350. Soon...